Ice cream war broke out in Basildon when rival sellers clashed over working the same route.

Roma Stock, 32, was so fed up with Mark Gentry cashing in on the Whitmore Way area that she continuously followed his van, a jury heard.

In the end, Mr Gentry's female assistant decided to have words with Stock, but it resulted in a serious assault.

Richard Burrington, prosecuting, told Basildon Crown Court how Stock grabbed a stick and battered the assistant, Karen Spencer, in the face, causing a small nose fracture and cuts.

He said Ms Spencer deflected a second attack when she snatched the stick from Stock, of Swanstead, Basildon.

Mr Burrington said Mr Gentry eventually got between the two women as they battled in out in Church Road.

In evidence, Mr Gentry told the jury that victim Ms Spencer helped out in her spare time. When Stock kept following them around Basildon she became annoyed and said: "I'm going to find out what is going on."

He added: "I then saw a stick come out and strike Karen in the face. Before that, she was just standing there."

Mr Gentry said his colleague's injuries looked so bad that he decided to take her to hospital. However, he said Stock continued to follow his van, so he changed his mind and drove to Basildon police station to report the incident.

He said Stock was still behind his van, but when he went to the police station she drove away.

Stock denies causing actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.

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